Dementia diagnosis pilot scheme extended

A new memory loss pilot scheme is to be extended across Doncaster for another year.

The initial pilot of CANTABmobile took place earlier this year and involved 45 patients. CANTABmobile is a medical software device designed to give a quick and accurate assessment of a patient’s memory.

It is the first ever rapid objectively-scored touchscreen assessment to differentiate between patients with memory loss due to early signs of Alzheimer’s and other dementias, and normal age-related forgetfulness.

GPs and other practice staff from a further 24 practices will receive training from Joanne Liversidge, Primary Care Liaison Nurse for Dementia at Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust.

Joanne said: “CANTABmobile is accurate, easy to use and quick to administer. The automatic scoring provides instant reports and gives peace of mind to patients. This will enhance the services we offer to our patients who have dementia.”

Wendy Sharps, aged 45, of Conisbrough, who was diagnosed with dementia aged just 40, added: “I welcome this – if something like this had been available when I was going back and forth to doctors’ appointments I definitely would have asked to do this.”